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  1. I'm sorry if I seem dense, but are you saying I'm correct about needing those particular inputs? I'd prefer not to make an expensive mistake As for what DACs do, is there a particular reason why you mention that?
  2. Thanks, folks. Perhaps I should have phrased my inquiry in this way: given my needs and the equipment I have, what inputs/outputs should I be looking for in a DAC? I feel uncertain about my own knowledge, but it seems I need at least 1) a USB input for feeding my Macbook Pro, 2) an optical input for feeding my PS3, 3) probably a coaxial or RCA input for feeding my television receiver, 4) (what does a CDP usually output as?), and ... If all of the above is correct, this is where I get stuck. If I'm to use the Marantz, is my only option as far as OUTPUTS from the DAC go a plain balanced or unbalanced RCA out? My knowledge is basic, but I would assume toslink/spdif/and even coaxial are all out of the question. Am I correct in this? Thank you again!
  3. I'm looking to spend between $300-$1000 on a DAC. My home television and stereo setup are combined, so I have three or possibly four essential needs: 1. DAC conversion of my TV signal. 2. DAC conversion of my PS3. 3. DAC conversion of audio from my Macbook Pro, and 4. DAC conversion of a possible CDP down the road Of course, the first three are the most important. My receiver is an old Marantz 2285, and my speakers are vintage KEFs. I wouldn't want to part with either of these. Is there a mid-level DAC that could handle these tasks and work with the Marantz? For example, I was eyeing the Rega DAC but am uncertain how much use I could get from the SPDIF/USB/Coaxial design. I'm still relatively new to this and would appreciate some help. Thanks!
  4. Hi Brand, Thanks for that link. I've spent the last little while trying to dig up as much information on that Marantz as I could. Unfortunately, information/reviews are rather sparse. Although that unit looks like a real solution for someone in my shoes, the burning question for me is whether - as a DAC alone - the Marantz is somewhat of a compromise. In other words, would a $250 dedicated DAC like the HRT Streamer sound better than the $1000 Marantz, which tries to do it all? All I can note is that, according to Marantz, the SA8004 is loaded with a "Cirrus CS4398". Can anyone weigh in on this chip's competence?
  5. Thank you again, Dave. To be clear, I am in the process of hauling my entire classical music selection over to a lossless digital library. I did take a cursory look at Chris's article above; it seems the greatest departure in my approach so far is reliance on Apple Lossless vis iTunes instead of FLAC. If I could be certain that I could play FLAC in iTunes, I probably would have started that way, but it looks like it's too late now... As for keeping my CDs, I've already pared down my collection to the essentials (Beethoven, Bach, historical recordings, etc.), but I'm really starting to wonder how long I'll be holding on to these, as well. It seems to me that once my library is converted and securely stored (i.e. external hard drive + my own Mac), I'd be better off with some cash in my pocket to invest in vinyl, A/V gear, or even that Fender Jazz Bass I've been eyeing At any event, I suppose in terms of a home theater setup I already own a fairly competent Yamaha Soundbar (the YSP-600), so perhaps I shouldn't worry so much on that end. I'd probably be happier having a separate listening and watching station anyway - music should be pure anyhow. Having read Cambridge Audio's own writeup on the DAC Magic, I just started to wonder how much "extra sound" was locked in my PS3 and BluRay discs that a good DAC could bring out. I'm assuming the DAC in my Yamaha is not of superlative grade. At this stage, then, the only question remains which DAC to purchase and HOW to stream my audio files into that DAC. I'm on the fence about purchasing an Apple Airport to give the wireless route a go. I happen to need a router at the moment, and the fact that the Airport might serve well as a feed into a DAC strikes me as a bonus. But for some reason I highly doubt that wireless connection could operate as fulsomely as a good old fashioned cable. Call me superstitious; I'd love to hear your views. As for DACs, I think it's down to the V-DAC and the Music Streamer II+, with the possibility of an Apogee Duet. If I could be assured that the Duet is as competent as the former options, I'd probably go that route since I'd love to have the pocketable recording capabilities, as well (I'm an amateur musician who jams a lot). Whew! A mouthful. But I owed you that!
  6. HMMMMM... DAC Magic...V-DAC...HRT Streamer... The V-DAC seems to get consistently great reviews. I'd also be curious to know what trio of competitors exists just ONE notch up in price from these guys, and whether the difference in SQ is apparent. Like my father always said, "Buy once, but buy right."
  7. Hmmm... Allow me first to express my gratitude to each of you again. This whole mess of digital conversions and translations, inversions and outputted reversions is starting to make a bit more sense. I'm a bit confused by something you said, Mact3333 (you're getting good karma for this!); you mention most DACs don't have USB in, and recommend a very costly DAC that DOES, in fact, have a USB input. But my understanding is that even DACs at the $200-$300 range regularly include a USB input. Like the Streamer that everybody is recommending. I'm also a bit leery about going wireless. Call me superstitious, but SOMETHING's gotta give in the air! To put all of this simply, what YOU gents purchase with a budget of $350 total? New or used I already have: the most recent Macbook Pro Unibody 17"; an AIFF digital library; a Marantz Stereo receiver; and some KEF reference bookshelf speakers. Cheers!!!
  8. Your clear, concise and very generous thoughts are appreciated. As I don't have any compelling reasons to abandon my CD collection entirely yet, that was precisely the type of introductory commentary I was looking for. May I ask you a few questions regarding the HRT Streamer Plus? At first blush, I like its simplicity and functionality, but I'm also at a loss concerning exactly what role it will play. - Is the the Streamer a DAC? - If it is, should its very limited outputs be of concern to me? I can't foresee hooking up my PS3 or DVD player to it down the road, for example. - Would a product like the Cambridge Audio DAC Magic do what the Streamer does, only better? and, - Based on my limited readings, am I correct in being somewhat leery of USB as a means of transferring an audio signal? Thank you again!
  9. Thanks, guys. Are you suggesting that there is simply NO DACs out there with outputs that would be useless for my Marantz? How is that possible? I see some DACs that don't have RCA outputs...if I were to purchase one like that, does it mean that I would have to use some kind of converter cable? Is there any reason neither of you mentioned the DAC Magic by Cambridge Audio? I was eyeing a few used ones on Audiogon. Wouldn't mind paying a few extra dollars for something in the mid-high range. If I understand all of this correctly, something like the DAC Magic would provide a basic signal flow like: Macbook Pro (iTunes) -> via USB -> DAC Magic -> RCA Out to AUX In on Marantz -> Good ol' KEF Bookshelfs. ...or is that too simplistic? Very, very much appreciated.
  10. I have an old Marantz CD player that's on its last breaths. I'd like to upgrade to something mid-range ($400?); but it'd be great if my next CD player, in addition to having a great DAC, also sported a USB port so as to cater to the digital music library on my Macbook Pro. Any such thing exist? It would seem nonsensical to buy a nice CD player in addition to a separate USB DAC just for my computer.
  11. Too basic a question? My apologies. Admittedly, I'm a complete amateur when it comes to this stuff.
  12. I've recently ripped my fairly extensive classical music collection to Apple Lossless format. I'd now like a way to stream the music from my Macbook Pro into my old Marantz stereo receiver so that I can enjoy some high fidelity without the fuss of CDs. How do I go about doing this? The Marantz is obviously limited to RCA inputs. As for DACs, I first heard about this tonight over dinner with a friend. I'd like to spend no more than $250. Recommendations?
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